Five Things Learned: Bournemouth 1-4 Manchester City (Premier League)

A relatively comfortable Saturday evening saw Manchester City emerge 4-1 victors against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

Three goals before the break helped the Premier League champions sweep Bournemouth aside, with the visitors responding to successive 1-1 draws in the past week with a dominant first-half display in the south-west.

Goals from Julian Alvarez, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden all but put the game to bed by the interval.

Alvarez fired in the opener from close range on his return to the starting XI as the ball fell to the 22-year-old Argentina international after Erling Haaland’s effort met the crossbar.

The Norwegian doubled City’s advantage on the half-hour mark after Phil Foden met an enticing cross from captain Ilkay Gundogan and neatly cut the ball across the six-yard box for Haaland to tap home and register his 27th league goal this season.

Foden grabbed himself a goal after setting up the second, latching onto a stray ball in the Bournemouth defence and finishing calmly on his 200^th senior appearance for Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola’s men grabbed a fourth just six minutes into the second half after Alvarez’s strike was deflected into the Cherries net by Bournemouth defender Chris Mepham, going down as an own goal.

City were once again unable to see the game out with a clean sheet, conceding less than minutes before the whistle, much to Guardiola’s frustration, with the Blues failing to keep the ball out of their net despite a comfortable victory.

Here are five things we learned from City’s 4-1 win away at Bournemouth:

1. Instrumental Ilkay

Ilkay Gundogan had a great time out against the Cherries, deftly lofting the ball over the top to Phil Foden to begin the move that led to the first goal, as well as putting in an accurate ball which allowed Foden to set up the second for Erling Haaland.

The German’s all-round performance was immense as he pulled the strings in the heart of the midfield in the absence of Kevin De Bruyne – further demonstrating why he is worthy of a new contract this summer.

2. Electric Alvarez bringing energy to the attack

Manchester City have looked somewhat lethargic in attack as of late, failing to create and convert chances like they’re used to under Pep Guardiola, and overall looking rather leggy up front.

However, the re-introduction of Julian Alvarez to Saturday’s lineup did wonders for the attack, with the World Cup winner chasing from the front in typical Alvarez fashion and grabbing a well-earned opener.

The former River Plate man looks electric every time he plays – whether it is as the out-and-out number nine or out on the wing, Alvarez always provides the quality when he is granted minutes by Pep Guardiola, who will take note of another telling showing from the young attacker.

It’s no wonder the Blues are already looking to tie Alvarez down to a new contract despite only signing him from River Plate midway through last season. The Calchin-born starlet is certainly one to look forward to in the present and future of Manchester City.

3. Erling Haaland makes more history

OFFICIAL: @ErlingHaaland has now scored 27 goals in the 2022/23 #PL season – more than any other #ManCity player in a single campaign, overtaking @aguerosergiokun's 26 in 2014/15. pic.twitter.com/7fwly5ZdIT

— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) February 25, 2023

Having gone back-to-back games without scoring, it’s no surprise the ever-prolific Erling Haaland returned to the scoresheet on Saturday.

In doing so, the Premier League’s leading goalscorer this season, who signed from Borussia Dortmund last summer, surpassed the record tally of goals scored by a Manchester City player ever in a league campaign – with Sergio Aguero scoring 26 times in the 2014/15 season.

Haaland will no doubt have a massive role to play for Manchester City in the business end of the season, as they try perilously to retain the Premier League title as well as hunting down the all-important Champions League trophy.

A goal on Saturday certainly won’t harm Haaland’s confidence, considering the Norway international has looked a frustrated figure up front for City as of late.

4. Phil Foden back with a bang!

The spotlight was on Phil Foden on Saturday after Pep Guardiola explained why the England international was struggling to get a look into City’s starting XI since the Qatar World Cup.

Having come under scrutiny recently, it was a stellar performance from the City academy graduate, who grabbed himself a goal and an assist against Bournemouth in what was a much-needed five-star showing from the 22-year-old.

Foden was at the centre of most things City did well up front, making some brilliant runs off the ball to create space and being a recurring nightmare for the Cherries backline all evening.

The Stockport-born attacker has seemingly been out of favour recently, with Pep Guardiola often opting to start Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez on the wings. Foden did his chances no harm with his performance and Guardiola will be glad to see the young Englishman regain a spark and get some minutes.

With Foden typically operating on the left of City’s front three, it will be difficult to overthrow Jack Grealish, who is arguably in the best form of his Manchester City career. The pair of friends will push each other however, providing healthy competition in a battle for what has been a competitive position in attack throughout Guardiola’s tenure at the Etihad Stadium.

5. The search for a clean sheet continues...

For all of Manchester City’s dominance, Pep Guardiola and his defence will undoubtedly be frustrated by Jefferson Lerma’s consolation goal for Bournemouth, with the Blues now having failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six matches across all competitions.

City restricted the hosts to just two shots on goal all game but it wasn’t enough to shut up shop, as the home side pulled one back late on in the game.

With Bristol City next up in the FA Cup, Guardiola is likely to shuffle his pack as concerns start to creep in around the amount of goals City have let in lately.